Horror/Scary: January 13, 2016 Issue [#7418]
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Horror/Scary


 This week: Darkest Verse
  Edited by: Elle - on hiatus
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  

Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

I'll admit it, I'm not a fan of scary stories or horror movies. I don't read them nor watch them. So how it is that I have not only read, reviewed and written items in the horror/scary genre, but enjoyed them? Maybe there's just something different about poetry...


Word from our sponsor

ASIN: B07B63CTKX
Amazon's Price: $ 6.99


Letter from the editor

It was all 🌑 Darleen - QoD 's fault. In 2014 she created the "Invalid Item, and it was my first real introduction to poetry that fell in the dark or horror/scary genres. I didn't expect to like it, because I am a romantic and I like my happy endings. I don't like horror movies. I only read books that have happy endings, however much the hero or heroine are tortured along the way. But Darleen was a friend, so I ventured in.

My first entry, a few months after the contest started, wasn't particularly dark (more like a light grey *Laugh*), but it was a start, and Darleen cheered me on. I read some of the other entries, and while dark, they were very good. They had a certain dark beauty, as only poetry can have. The more I read, the more I practiced, and the better I got. That's how it works, right? I won an honourable mention in September 2014 with "Invalid Item and was so thrilled. I never thought I could write anything dark, poetry or prose, and I was doing it! *Bigsmile* I kept entering as often as I could, and in June 2015 I won second place with "Invalid Item. I intend to keep working hard at it in the hope of one day writing something worthy of first place.

For me, the darkness is alleviated by the beautiful words we choose. Despite the great many number of books I read, a thesaurus will always be my favourite. I use it all the time. Instead of dark, we have shadowy or I play with the idea of soot or pitch. Instead of horror we could use terror or dread... Being able to play with the words doesn't detract from the theme of the poem, but it lends a certain elegance.

For some, dark poetry is a way of expressing their pain, lancing their wounds. There is a reason that poetry is so popular with people who are struggling to deal with their emotions. It gives them a voice. Just never make the mistake of assuming that a poem tells you about a poet's personal feelings or history. Mine rarely do, and that kind of assumption is careless.

Have you tried to write dark poetry? I dare you to give it a try. Paint dark pictures with your words, and cloak them in exquisite grace and sophistication. *Smile*


Editor's Picks

These are some of the previous winners of the "Invalid Item.

 Invalid Item 
This item number is not valid.
#2063631 by Not Available.


 Invalid Item 
This item number is not valid.
#2047160 by Not Available.


Hollow Dreams  (13+)
Dream or nightmare? (Form: Double Etheree)
#2003851 by 🌕 HuntersMoon


All's Hell That Ends Well  (18+)
My entry for the Dark Dreamscapes Contest: July. Photo prompt.
#1999097 by Carmen


STATIC
The Tempest in the Moonlight  (E)
The tempest of the storm shows me who I am. (Constanza Form)
#1992121 by Angels in my Ear



Here are some more dark contests for you to challenge yourself with:

FORUM
Love Shouldn't Hurt Poetry Contest  (GC)
1st Poetry Contest raising awareness about abuse. Next round is May 5th-June 5th
#2040807 by Lyn's a sly fox


FORUM
SCREAMS!!!  (GC)
A Terrifying Contest Of Horror And Three Time Quill Award Winner!
#2020439 by Lilith of House Martell


 Invalid Item 
This item number is not valid.
#2066181 by Not Available.


 Invalid Item 
This item number is not valid.
#2043072 by Not Available.


FORUM
Scary Animal tales  (E)
A short story contest. Show me the monster.
#2068383 by Danger Mouse

 
Submit an item for consideration in this newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form

Word from Writing.Com

Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
         https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form

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Ask & Answer

Share your favourite dark poem with us. *Smile* It can be one you wrote, or one written by someone else (appropriately credited of course!).

*Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet* Don't Be Shy! Write Into This Newsletter! *Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet*

This form allows you to submit an item on Writing.Com and feedback, comments or questions to the Writing.Com Newsletter Editors. In some cases, due to the volume of submissions we receive, please understand that all feedback and submissions may not be responded to or listed in a newsletter. Thank you, in advance, for any feedback you can provide!
Writing.Com Item ID To Highlight (Optional):

Send a comment or question to the editor!
Limited to 2,500 characters.
Word from our sponsor
ASIN: B083RZJVJ8
Amazon's Price: $ 19.99
Not currently available.

Removal Instructions

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